May, 1994.

Our current goal is to acquire a "phone fund" from which we can afford to
purchase our own phone lines (and eventually network connection).  Right now
we "mooch" off DU, and DU isn't very happy about that.  As of August 1, 1994,
we have to pay our own phone bills, estimated to be $500-700/month (plus
a $1300 one-time install charge) -- which we must cover via donations.  (At
this early stage, it appears the lines will cost approximately $40/month
per line, and we have to replace 16 lines.)  Our goal is to acquire, in ADDITION
to normal donations for equipment improvements, sufficient donations to have
a six-month phone fund so we won't run dry.

We plan to honor those who donate more than one line's monthly cost with a
"this phone line brought to you by..." type message. (For a month, of course :-)

In addition we typically need improvements to memory, disk space, processing
power, etc.

[Note that this *does* affect non-dial-in users:  Without dial-in access, I
won't continue to operate Nyx, so it will go away.  So, yes, people who
telnet in do have a stake in the phone fund.]

Note: all donations are fully tax deductible (at least in the US) -- DU is a
non-profit, educational organization.

We can take
	- checks (including foreign if written in $US -- see note below!)
	- cash (US only)
	- credit card (Visa/MC/Discover, but not AmEx; foreign ok).

Credit card donations can be done by running the 'donate' program from
the main menu or any shell.  This program automatically encrypts your
message for privacy (using 'pgp').  Note: you must indicate your amount
in US dollars, as DU won't do is currency exchange on credit cards).
Or, you can postal-mail the info ($amount/card#/exp.date/your name/bank name).

I've resisted ever suggesting a minimum donation amount, but DU has been
getting on my case about the effort to process checks for less than
$10.  Don't get me wrong, I realize $2, $5, etc., may be a lot, and the
sentiment is sincerely appreciated -- I view Nyx as equal access for all,
and all users considered equal whether they donate nothing, $1, $10, $100, etc.
However, we rely on DU to process the funds, so it would be better if you could
just save up longer and send a larger amount.  I don't want DU to get
upset about the check situation and refuse to take them.

The address to send to is:

	Prof. Andrew Burt
	Department of Math and Computer Science
	John Greene Hall
	University of Denver
	Denver, CO 80208

	- MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:  "University of Denver"
	- Write "for Nyx" in the memo field (if you have a memo field :-)
	- If your company matches donations, yes, we DO qualify; send a form

	- If you also want validation AND are sending a *personal* check,
	  ALSO send a filled in copy of the from in the "val/a" menu (but
	  you don't need it notarized).  (Note that only pre-printed
	  personal checks can be used for validation, no other kind of
	  donation.  Of course, validation can be had with no donation
	  at all; this is just a "feature" for those who want to
	  contribute and get validated too.)

NOTE REGARDING FOREIGN CHECKS (or, ahem, cheques):  We've received so many
foriegn checks (written in foreign currency) that DU has adopted a new policy:

	For non US checks they request that you write your
	check in US dollars, which is easily done by just writing
		$20 US
	or
		TWENTY U.S. DOLLARS
	in the amount field on the check.  They also established a
	minimum amount, $20 for Canadian or UK checks and $50 for other
	foreign checks.  (Sigh.)

Yes, your bank WILL accept this (don't even ask them; if they say "no"
it's because who you asked doesn't know or doesn't want the hassle).  I
understand that there may be better ways to wire the money (e.g., an
AmEx Money Order); VISA/MC is probably best.

Nyx has generated so many foreign checks that the office that handles them is
getting upset with me :-)  I don't want them to refuse to handle Nyx checks
at all, so I am accepting this policy.

Also, note that because of the volume of checks and the effort required to
process them, DU does not send out receipts for any donations less than $50.

Note, we run what I call "no guilt" fund drives.  No hard sell.  If
you feel like sending money, it will be much appreciated.  If not,
that's ok too.  If you'd like to see Nyx grow, this is how you can help.

So if you can send something, wonderful.  Regardless, enjoy Nyx.